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December 19, 2023Manoah and his wife, Zechariah and Elizabeth. Who are these couples from today’s readings? They seem to be advancing in age with increasingly dimmer hopes for a family with children. But messengers from God have spoken to them.
Before my wife and I were married, we had a memorable conversation about what we thought our future family would be like. We agreed that four children would be ideal. After the wedding, years passed with no little ones. Just at that time of fading hopes, we heard from a far-off friend with the news that an adoption might be possible soon. Our first daughter was born on our wedding anniversary, and she quickly became a part of our lives. A few years later we were blessed by the births of our second and third daughters. The delivery room nurse who came with the good news of our third child must have seen that I was a bit disappointed, for she said, “You can always come back and try again.” Eleven months later our son was born. Four children - exactly what we had wished for.
Samson and John were born to fulfill important roles in God’s plan, and they accomplished great things. We like to think that our children are also doing wonderful works in their lives as the “hands and feet” of Christ Jesus in this country of ours.
A few more dark days are left in this year. In the stillness of the night, in the deep gloomy darkness just before dawn, I hear the moving cry of the owl. Like a messenger from God, it speaks to me. The coming brilliant joyful light will again be entering the lives of the expectant couple Mary and Joseph. The hope for all the world is nigh, an inextinguishable Light. Thanks be to God!
